Judge me by my ideas, not my religion

Margaret Somerville, who writes from a conservative perspective on contemporary ethical issues (e.g., euthanasia, reproductive ethics), complains about being labelled and dismissed as  “a Roman Catholic apologist”. While I disagree with most of her views, I do agree with her criticism of being labelled and dismissed, rather than her arguments being criticized – or supported – on the substance.

Of course, we all are guilty of using labels as shortcuts, whether in political, religious or social spheres, and would all benefit if we would rush less to judgement and suspend our “automatic thinking”. Hard to do in practice, and I expect Professor Somerville may also have similar challenges.

Moreover, if religious people are disqualified on the basis of their lack of neutrality, adherents of other belief systems, such as secularism, should be dealt with likewise. Clearly, that would be an unworkable situation as everyone would be excluded, because we all have beliefs that guide us. The answer to this dilemma is that all voices have a right to be included and heard in the democratic public square. This liberty right is the correct understanding of the nature of a secular state and respecting it is at its heart. Importantly, as this demonstrates, such a state is the polar opposite of one that espouses secularism.

Judge me by my ideas, not my religion – The Globe and Mail.